EU official writes to Iran’s Baqeri on nuclear talks

TEHRAN, June 9 (MNA) – The deputy secretary general for political affairs of the European External Action Service wrote a letter to the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Thursday, saying that Iran and world powers should engage on issues of substance to achieve concrete results at the Moscow talks. Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) held a new round of talks in Baghdad on May 23 and 24 and agreed to continue their negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program in Moscow on June 18 and 19. The Guardian published Helga Schmid’s letter to Ali Baqeri on Friday. After the Baghdad talks, Schmid and Baqeri were tasked with drawing up an agenda for the Moscow talks. Five days after the Baghdad talks, Baqeri sent a letter to Schmid, announcing Iran’s readiness to hold meetings between experts from the two sides. In his letter, Baqeri wrote, “The success of the Moscow meeting depends on making the necessary preparations and drawing up a comprehensive agenda.” Later, Baqeri sent another letter to Schmid emphasizing the need to hold preliminary meetings. Following are excerpts of Schmid’s letter: Let me say that I am somewhat surprised by the issues raised in your recent letters. I would like to recall that during our talks in Baghdad the E3+3 presented a straightforward proposal which addresses on the one hand our key concerns on the 20% enrichment activities and at the same time offers interesting opportunities for cooperation in the nuclear and other areas which would be beneficial for Iran. At that time, E3+3 have already expressed readiness to have in-depth discussions, including at the level of experts, in order to examine the details of this proposal. Unfortunately, in Baghdad Iran was not prepared to take up our suggestion to enter into discussions on the substance of the proposal. We would feel very encouraged if Iran were now ready to enter into these discussions since it remains the collective conviction of the E3+3 that this proposal continues to represent the most promising basis for moving our discussions towards achieving concrete results at an early stage. In and following Istanbul, we have established a clear and positive framework for a sustained process of serious dialogue. You and I had numerous phone calls and long meetings to work towards this end. Now there is a need to engage seriously on issues of substance in order to agree on concrete confidence building steps which could be implemented swiftly. We are very much hoping for a political commitment on your side.